Bruce and the Road to Courage
Written for 8 to 12 year olds (or those of us who are young at heart), Bruce and the Road to Courage is about a young caterpillar who is afraid of heights and doesn’t want to become a butterfly. Tired of being teased and bullied about this, he leaves home, unaware that he has embarked on a heroic journey that will test both his character and his courage.
Along the road, Bruce makes some unlikely friends, including a young moth caterpillar. When she is abducted by bats, Bruce determines to rescue her, and his other friends—a mockingbird who doesn’t eat bugs because she is a vegetarian, a spider who got tangled in his own web, and an aging firefly—join the quest. Their journey is difficult, and, when they reach the bats’ cave, they are also captured and discover that many more creatures are in need of help.
But Bruce’s unwillingness to cower any longer helps him formulate a plan that he hopes will bring them all to safety. As the adventurers work to free themselves and the others, Bruce discovers that standing up for yourself and doing what is right, even in the face of great odds, are the most courageous actions of all.To learn more about the book, or to buy a copy, click here.
Please leave your reviews and comments about the book here, or send them to me by email, if you’d prefer. Thank you!
I absolutely loved the book. Very well-written with good morals, educational and entertaining as well. I could not set it down as it was such a wonderful adventure. I loved the characters and names. It brought about emotion as well in a good way. There is so much bullying in the world today, this book will relate to all children–a story to be told. I could not help but think all the time I was reading that this book would make a wonderful Steve Jobs Pixar movie. I could just picture all the fun and warmth of the characters. I am so anxious for my grandchildren to read it and get their response! Truly a wonderful book.
Ruby (10) and Sophie (8) got your book in the mail that I sent. They called me so excited to thank me and Ruby said “This is the best book I have ever read!” We are sitting down together and reading it. I want all my friends to read it too. She told me they just finished the 3rd chapter. I told her it gets even better and better.
thank you a million times for the book its great i think you know mrs valbuena if you do well im one of her students and i love it we are in the part where bruce meryl minton meet sohpie and i think they will get as a team to go get angie and the others thank you again and keep making new stories there great
thank you a million times for the great book i dont know if you know mrs valbuena but if you do im one of her students and i really love the book .we are where bruce, meryl and minton meet sophie and i think they will make great team and rescue sohpie and all of the other creatures thanks again and keep making great books
Hi Nicole — I’ll see you as soon as I can get there. I hope you continue enjoying the book!
Hi Nicole — Mrs. Valbuena has told me that you are reading Bruce and the Road to Courage in your classroom. I’m so glad you are enjoying it, and thank you very much for letting me know. I hope to meet you and the other students in the near future. Meanwhile, keep reading!
Hi! I love your book! It is really entertaining! My teacher left a cliffhanger, and we all shouted, NO! Hehe. I honestly love your book!
Amazing, what a simple book could do to you.
Hi Carl — Thank you so much for your posting and letting me know you like the book. I am looking forward to meeting you and the other students soon. Until then, hang in there until the next chapter!
hi gale! plz come over to our school you know mrs valbuena.id really like to meet you!
Hi Vanessa — I’ll be there to visit as soon as I can. I am really looking forward to talking with all of you!
Hi Gale im reading your book it so amazing.I also cant belive your coming to our school im so exited.Please keep writing you amazing book!!!!!!
Hi Gale i have reading you book.I know you had no one to tell you if its good but just to let you know its AMAZING!!!!!.I hope you write more books. And im glad you are coming to my school im so exited.plz keeping writing your GREAT books!!!!
Hi Alyssa — I’m looking forward to visiting with you and the others in your class. I’m so glad you’re enjoying my book!
hi Gale plz keep writing you AMAZING books!!!!!!!!
tehehehe
Hi gale im one of mrs. valbuenas students and i think your book is AMAZING it has so much detail it feels like your in your own little world. I hope to see more books from you. Cant wait to see you in october. :D
Hi Gale im one of Mrs.Valbuenas students and i think your book is AMAZING. It has so much detail it makes you feel like your in your own little world. I hope to see more books from you. Cant wait to see you in october! :D
i think its amazing what a book can do to you.
Hi Sadie — Thank you for writing. You’ve made me smile! I am really looking forward to my trip to your school and meeting you and all the other students. Your teacher, Mrs. Valbuena, must really be a special person. I am glad you’re enjoying my book and I’m working hard on the next book. Until October — have fun and keep reading! :-) Gale
Hello Gale thanks for responding back I hope you will enjoy Stanton it’s the best school you’re going to love it!!!!
hi.my name is samantha louie and i am in mrs valbuenas class.i absolutly love your book.i have it on my kindle.i hope your visit is the most memorable and fun-filled day with us 5th graders.
i am so excited for your visit.to bad you cant live in california.HAHAHA ; )
Hi Samantha — I’m so glad you’re enjoying Bruce and the Road to Courage. I’m looking forward to meeting you and the other students. Thanks for your kind words — will see you soon! Gale
i hope i can read the art of pickle ball.i wonder what its about
Pickleball is a game similar to tennis, but on a much smaller court. It is played with a hard paddle (like a big ping pong paddle) and a plastic whiffle ball with holes in it. It has a silly name, but it is a wonderful game and a lot of fun. I can show you when I’m there visiting. The Art of Pickleball explains how to play the game.
oh thats cool.i’ve played pickleball before its so fun.
hi i cant wait to meet you at stanton to see your face in person.
hi- i cant wait to see you at stanton.I am in MRS. valbeunas class
Hi Gale im so excited so meet you in October!!!!=)Hope i can get the new book soon!!!!!Any way keep on writing books you are very famous so let your brain free and write great books as you always do!!!!
HI GALE LEACH I LOVE YOUR BOOK CANT WHAT UNTIL YOUCOME IM SO EXITED TO MEET YOU
HI MRS.LEACH IM SO EXITED TO MEET YOU ILOVE BRUCE AND MILTON
I L-O-V-E your book and want you to wright the next book. I realy want to meat you next week and so do my 96 class mates at stanton.
hi gale how are you doing? i want to read the picke paddle book ! i cant wait until its out :D and i love bruce and the road of courage its exciting and sad :( but i love this book ! :D
Hi Alyssa, and thank you for your posting. I’m glad you like my book and the characters in it. I will bring a copy of the pickleball book, but it’s really not a “fun” book — it explains how to play the game, but it isn’t really a book you would just sit down and read. Anyway, I’m looking forward to meeting you soon!
cant wait to see you
Hi Aracely, I’m here in California, and I am so happy I’ll be seeing you and the other students tomorrow! Thank you for waiting so long. — Gale
I L-O-V-E your bookand so do my 96 class mates at stanton. Can’t wait to meet you mrs.leach.
:)
icant wait to see you
:-)
hello Gale Leach i am one of mrs. valbunas stundets im kinda new but i got to read bruce and the road to courage it is the best book i ever read even i dont like books that much but know i love books. Now i can’t wait to see you thank you for coming. BY
Hi gale it’s Nicole I would like to read the art of pickle ball it sounds fun to play only one problem I don’t know how to play that’s why I would like to purchase it don’t worry I bring extra money
Nicole — I will bring a pickleball book for you. I’ll also bring a paddle and a ball so you can see what they are like.
I love your book I’m looking forward to the next one. I can’t wait to meet you on Friday.
Hi Mrs. Leach! I can’t wait to meet you. I am in Mrs. Valbuena’s class. I love Bruce and the Road to Courage. I asked my mom to get it for me for my NookColor, and she did since I can’t wait for Mrs. Valbuena to finish reading the story hahaha! I already read it 3 times. I love it! Thank you for writing a beautiful story, and using characters that I love the most, bugs and insects! See you!
Hi Mrs. Leach! I can’t wait to meet you! I am in Mrs. Valbuena’s class. I love Bruce and the Road to Courage. I asked my mom to get it for my NookColor and she did, when I can’t wait for Mrs. Valbuena to finish reading it hahaha! I read it 3 times already. Thank you for writing a beautiful story and for using characters that I love the most, bugs and insects! See you!
Hi Dara, Thank you for your kind words. I am glad you enjoyed Bruce and the Road to Courage. I can’t ask for anything better than knowing you and the other readers love my book. I’m looking forward to meeting you soon!
Gale
i love this book. iv already saved up money to get the book. i am so exited to meet you tomorrow
Hi Omar, I’m looking forward to meeting you tomorrow — it’s almost here! Thank you for letting me know you like Bruce and the Road to Courage, and I’ll be bringing books for all of you. See you tomorrow! — Gale
hey mrs leach i can,t wait to see you tomorrow please reply!
Gale Leach I loved your book so much that I want to buy hundreds of this book. Your book inspired me to persevere when I’m being bullied! Thank you for coming!
Dear Geoffrey, Thank you for writing and for letting me know that you like my book. I’m glad you are doing better with bullying. It’s not easy to stand up for yourself, but it’s also not right for others to take advantage of you. I am looking forward to meeting you today! See you soon. Gale
Dear Mrs. Leach, Thanks so much for coming to our class today. It’s one of my most exciting experiences ever. Thank you very much for giving me a bookmark with your autograph, even if I didn’t buy the book today, since i already have it in my Nookcolor. I’ll treasure it. Like what you said on your bookmark, I will share your book with others. Your book has a “Lend Me” option in Nook. I learned a lot from it. It needs to be shared. My mom said to thank you for being a good model for us. Nice meeting you! Love, Dara
Dear Dara,
It was my great pleasure to meet you today and to spend time with you and your classmates. All of you asked wonderful questions and shared great insights into the book and the characters. I hope you’ll keep reading and enjoying all the wonderful books that are out there waiting for you.
My best to you!
Hi Gale thankyou so much for writing your Bruce and The Road To courage.Your book gave more courage than i have ever known.You are an amazing author!I hope you can come back to our school to sell your Bruce And The Road To Honesty. :)
Alyssa
Dear Alyssa,
I am so happy to hear that you felt more courageous after reading my book. I think we all have greatness within us. Believing in ourselves and having friends and family who believe in us and help us makes us much stronger, too.
I do hope I can come back to your school after the new book is done. I am keeping in touch with Mrs. Valbuena — I will definitely let her know when it’s finished. Meanwhile, enjoy some other good books!
Dear Gale,
I am writing a story and Mrs.Valbuena said that it could actually be a real story in a public library.I was wondering if when im done with the story, could i send my story and you could press it?Please email me back at my personal email.Thank you.
hi Gale, i cant wait till the new book is done! I think it will be AMAZING, if its like the first one. i hope you get it published in time so that you can come back to our schoo. Will you be willing to come back once again honoring you book and your self? i hope you do cause i will never forget that! please comment back thank you Gale!
Hi Sadie,
I have finished the writing of book 2 but I am waiting to get the cover illustration done. After that it has to go to the printer and then it will be finished. I hope I can get that done before the end of the school year, and I plan to go back to Stanton to visit again if I can.